Color vision discrimination in the capuchin monkey Cebus apella: evidence for trichromaticity.
Primates display significant differences in color vision. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of capuchin monkeys in discriminating chromatic and achromatic Munsell color chips through behavioral tests. The subjects were trained in a simple and reverse discrimination learning procedure. All subjects were capable of discriminations along five color categories investigated. The results are discussed in terms of the hypothesis of male dichromatism in New World monkeys, the role of color vision in adaptation to feeding ecology, as well as to aspects regarding primate evolution.
Pessoa
V F
VF
Laboratory of Neurobiology and Primate Center, University of Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil. vpessoa@guarany.unb.br
Tavares
M C
MC
Aguiar
L
L
Gomes
U R
UR
Tomaz
C
C
D000818:Animals; D002428:Cebus; D003116:Color; D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation